Cultivator.



Patented Ian. I6, I900.

R M. R 0 .T TA W U U C No. 64l,559.

(Application filed July 6, 1899.)

2 Sheds-Sheet I I l i I Igx'icxjfor I I ka? 139! gi Jlflomgeys,

(No Model.)

ul lh csscs Patnted Jan. l6, I900.

No. 64l,559.

C. L. M. ST. CLAIR.

C U L T IV A T 0 R.

(Application filed July 6, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

THE Noam PEYERS co.. PNo'rc-uma, WASHINGTON, n r.

STATES Eric.

ATENT CULTIVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,559, dated January16, 1900. 7 Application filed July 6,1899. Serial 110.722,!)56. (Nmodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. M- ST. CLAIR, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Blue Springs, in the county of Jackson and State ofMissouri, have invented a new and useful Cultivator, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to oultivators; and the object of the same is toprovide a (30111- bined device of this character having removableattachments which are capable of being replaced in part by otherdevices, but having a primary arrangement to render the machineparticularly efiicient in cultivatinglisted corn and also adapted forgeneral work that can be accomplished in a satisfactory manner with avery slight change, and all the parts are-easily manipulated and underthe control of an operator to regulate the various adjustable fea turesand cause a conformation to inequalities of the ground-surface.

The invention consists, primarily, of a frame supporting land-rollersand adjustable gangs of yielding cultivator or spring-barrow teeth whichare self-adjustable to compensate for irregularities in theground-surface, the rollers being supplied with removable ditchingattachments, combined with adjusting mechanisms, as well as specialstructural features hereinafter more particularly referred to.

The invention further consists of the details of construction andarrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of acultivator embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of thesame. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 4 is atransverse vertical section through the rollers. Fig. 5 is a section onthe line w :0, Fig. 2.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts in the several formed therewith or attached thereto dependingcurved hangers 4, with central enlargements 5 to provide oppositejournals for a transversely-extending shaft 6, which is continuous fromone end of the machine to the other in a transverse direction, andloosely mounted thereon are rollers '7 and 8; The frame 1 is braced atdifferent points on the opposite sides of its center by obliquely o'r'diagonally disposed strap-braces 9, and the cross-bars 2 are connectedat the center by a draft-bar 10, having a suitable clip 11 for theattachment of a doubletree or analogous device or a tongue, as may bedesired. The draft-bar has the lower end of a yielding or spring support12 also attached thereto and connected at its upper portion or end to adrivers or operators seat 13, the lower portion of the said support alsohaving attached thereto or formed as a part thereof laterallyprojectingfoot-rests 14. The front cross-bar 2 has short posts 15 risingtherefrom, one on each side of the draft-bar, and on the rear cross-bar2 angle-plates 16 are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of saiddraft-bar.

Supplemental frames are held by the main frame, and each is composed ofa pair of flat metal bars 17, having their front ends or terminals drawnclosely toward each other, as at 18, and bolted or otherwise fastened tothe post 15, the same attachment being carried out in connection witheach frame. The saidv front ends or terminals of the supplemental framesare parallel and extend rearwardly over a greater part of the distancebetween the front and rear cross-bars 2 and have rearlaterally-projecting extensions 19, which are again bent to formcontinuations 20 in planes parallel with the front ends or terminals 18.These continuations 20 are removably bolted or otherwise fastened to thevertical members of the pairs of angle-plates 16 and extend rearwardlyfrom the latter a short distance over the rear cross-bar 2 and terminateat the rear in downwardly-extending rearwardlyinclined legs 21. 'Eachpair of the legs 21 has a bearing-rod 22, removably supported therein,and extending from said bearing-rod are connecting straps or arms 23, towhich are fastened pairs of head-bars 24, arranged in planes parallelwith the cross-bars 2 of the main frame and also with the rollers 7 and8. The head-bars 24 have yielding cultivator or spring-barrow teeth 25connected thereto in alternation on the separate bars 24. By this meansa portion of the cultivator or harrow teeth are in advance of others orthe teeth connected to the forward head-bar 24 have their pointed orworking ends closer to the rollers 7 and 8 than the teeth that areattached to the rearhead-bar, and, as indicated, an alternation is thusset up and the teeth made to efiiciently cover a greater surface intheir work. The connecting straps or arms 23 have bolt-openingstherethrough at regular intervals, which aline with similar openings inthe bars resting thereon, as will be readily understood, and the saidbars are thus held at predetermined distances apart in each pair of thesame, itbeing preferred,of course, to preserve a similarity in theadjustment or position of the opposite gangs of teeth.

Connected to each pair of bars 24, about centrally thereof, is avertical adj listing-arm 26, having a slot 27 in the upper terminalthereof, in which is movably held the rear end of a connecting-rod 28,which projects for- Wardly and is attached to a shifting lever 29,pivotally mounted between the front ends or terminals 18 of thesupplemental frame 17. The said shifting lever is provided with asuitable dog 30, which is spring-actuated and operates relatively to atoothed segment 31 adjacent the said lever and also held or supported bythe said front ends or terminals 18. The connecting-rod 28 has its rearend screwthreaded to receive a fastening-nut 32, to thus provide meansfor quickly attaching or disconnecting the said rod 28 to and from thearm 26, and between the front of the latter arm and a stop 33 on thesaid rod 28 a coiled spring 34 surrounds the rod and provides means forestablishing a yielding or cushioned bearing of the arm 26 on the saidrod 28.

bars24 are elevated and the teeth 25 raised to A reverse movement of.

inactive position. either one or both of the said levers 2.) will lowerthe teeth 25, and the latter, in addition to their own resiliency oryielding na-.

ture, will be permitted to conform to inequalities of the ground-surfacethrough the medium of the loose connection of the upper end of the arm26 with the rod 28.

Both gangs of teeth are similarly supported and have adjustable featuresin all respects alike, and at times it may be desirable to have one ganginactive while the other is at work. The gangs of teeth are directly inrear of the opposite rollers 7 and 8, and between the inner ends ofthelatter a space 35 is formed, the shaft 6 being at this point r0-tatably held in the lower portion of an intermediate hanger 30, alsosecured to the crossbars 2. The inner opposing ends of the head-bars 24of the gangs of cultivator or barrow teeth 25 are closely arranged, butfar enough apart to not interfere, as no lateral movement is permitted,and to the inner end of the bearing-rods 22 the front ends of an- Theconnecting straps or arms 23 have. movement on the bearing-rod 22 ofeach operated upon.

gular arms 37 are movably connected and have their rear ends pivotallyattached to vertically-disposed plates or followers 38, which are spacedapart a distance about equal to that between the inner rollers 7 and 8or possibly a little greater in order to effectively carry out theirfunction.

On the inner portions of the rollers 7 and8 ditching attachments areapplied, and consist of hollow sleeves 39, having clampingcollars 40attached to their outer edges or ends. The said sleeves 39 are of lesswidth at their outer portions than at their inner bearing sides, and theopposite ends 41 are inclined inwardly from the said inner sides. Eachof the sleeves is made in two sections of corresponding or exactdimensions, and the collars 40 are similarly dividedand at theirterminations are provided with outstanding ears 42, the said ears of theopposite sections of each attachment being brought closely together whenapplied to removably receive clamping-bolts 43. The ears 42 of thecollars 40 are far enoughinward from the outer working surface of eachof the sleeves to prevent interference with the depression ofthe sleevesinto the soil. The sleeves are shown applied to the inner contiguousends of the rollers 7 and 8 and in this position will form ditches onopposite sides of a ridge or hill in which the corn or other materialmay be planted, and the followers 38, coming in behind, will take up theloose soil that may still be left after the sleeves have completed theirwork and throw it against opposite sides of the ridge or hill. Theopposite sloping sides of the sleeves also have a beneficial effect onthe ridge or hill, and the plants will be uninjured by passing betweenthe inner ends of the rollers 7 and 8 or through the space 35 as themachine travels over the surface or tract The formation of the ditchesby the attachment thus applied can also be obtained at greater distancesapart, and it might be desirable at times to use the rollers alonewithout the well understood advantages of combining the gangs of teeth25 therewith. To obtain a greater space between the ditches, the sleeves39 may be shifted on the rollers from the position shown toward theouter ends of the latter. It may be found con venient at times to usesleeves having a greater radial extent to vary the depth of the ditches,and for this purpose the said sleeves can be furnished with each machinein sets of difierent outward projection.

When it is desired to use the rollers 7 and 8 independently of theditching attachment, the sleeves 39 can be disconnected and removedwithout displacing the rollers from their shaft 6, and that part of eachroller not occupied by the sleeve will serve efficiently to crush lumpsor clods on the ground-surface over which the said rollers move andsimultaneously with the formation of the ditches by the said sleeves.During the operation of the rollers with or without the ditchin gattachmentsthe yielding cultivator or harrow teeth 25 will subsequentlyact to loosen up the soil and make it better to receive the seed, or incultivating planted crops said teeth will prepare the soil for thereception of moisture by breaking the surface crust or hardened toplayer, and thereby assist materially in the propagation or growth of theplants. In running close to a fence and after an outer portion of atract of land has been treated by the teeth of the opposite gangs theoutermost gang, or that farthest from the fence, can be elevated andrendered inactive, and thus reduce the draft strain. Either one of thegangs can be cleared from the surface also in passing over a partialobstruction. The teeth 25 can also be replaced, if desired, by other outtivating devices; but it is preferred thatthey be used with the rollersin view of the effectiveness of the combination. To detachably andfirmly hold each of the teeth in connection with its head-bar, apreferred form of chair-fastening is used and clearly shown by Figs. 1and 5. Each chair comprises alower socket member 44, having a concavedseat or socket 45 in the upper central portion, which extends in atransverse direction, the opposite ends of said member being providedwith cars 46, with apertures therethrough for the passage of combinedfastenings and clamping-bolts 47 To the lower member 44 an upper member48 is applied and formed with a convex central projection 49, which fitsinto the concaved seat or socket 45, and also provided with endextensions 50, which are apertured for the passage therethrough of thecombined securing and clamping bolts 47. Each tooth 25 is intermediatelybowed or arched, as will be readily understood, and.the front terminal51 is curved to fit in the concaved seat 45 of the member 44 of thefastening-chair. After said terminal is so positioned in the member 44of the chair the member 48 is applied thereover and held with firmpressure thereon by running nuts 52 on the upper screw-threaded ends ofthe said combined securing and clamping bolts 47. By this means theteeth are made fast to the bars 24 without the use of securing devicesextending directly therethrough, and also loosening or disconnection ofthe teeth, due to a rearward drag thereon, will be prevented, owing tothe fact that the front curved terminal 51 of each tooth willbe'immovably clamped between the members 44 and 48. Fracture is lessliable to occur in the several teeth by the form of connection set forthin view of the regular curve of the terminal 51 in each instance, and inapplying the teeth to the head-bars 24 they can be correctly set at oneoperation without the necessity of after readjustment and beforetightening up the fastening devices. The followers 38 also have a freevertical movement by reason of the arms 37 carrying the same beingpivotally attached to the inner ends of the bearing-rods 22, and risingfrom the said followers are guide-pins 53, which extend upwardly throughadjacent portions of the rearmost head-bars 24. The depression of thesaid followers is regulable by the formation of transverse openings 54through the upper parts of the pins 53 for the reception of cotterpinsor analogous devices 55, that bear against the upper surfaces of thesaid rearmost headbars 24. The weight of the said followers issufficient to hold them down under normal conditions, and the elevationthereof will depend upon the position of the cotter-pins 55 in theguide-pins 53.

When it is desired to use the rollers 7 and 8 alone, the frames 17 canbe easily disconnected from the posts 15 and vertical members of theangle-plates 16, and by having the adjusting devices carried by the saidsupplemental frames the removal of the latter will entirely clear themain frame 1 without requiring a detachment of such adjusting devicesseparately. When the said supplemental frames are removed, the rollersand ditching attachments can be used for ditching alone or the sleeves39 can be removed from the rollers 7 and 8 and the latter employedexclusivelyfor treating soil or other surfaces that require a rollingoperation solely.

The preferred form of the improved cultivator, together with the severalattachments specified, has been illustrated and descriptively disclosed;but it is obviously apparent that various applications may demand achange in the proportions, size, and minor details, and such changeswill be made as reside within the scope of the invention and do notdetract from the advantages.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In adevice of the character set forth, the combination with rollers, ofsleeves mounted thereon and having clamping-collars to bind against saidrollers.

2. In a device of the character set forth, the combination with rollers,of sectional sleeves removably mounted thereon and provided withsectional collars adapted to be clamped around the rollers.

3. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe, a roller carried by said frame, a supplemental frame removablysupported by the main frame, a gang of teeth connected to thesupplemental frame and having an arm extending upwardly therefrom, witha slot therein, adjusting devices attached to the said supplementalframe, and a connecting-rod between the said adjusting devices and arm,said connecting-rod having a yielding movement in the arm. I

4. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe, a roller journaled therein, a supplemental frame removablyattached to themain frame and having rear depending portions, abearing-rod mounted in the terminals of said depending por- ICO IIO

tions, teeth movably connected to said bearing-rod, and means foradjusting the teeth.

5. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe adapted to be propelled bysuitable means, a supplemental frameremovably attached thereto, a gang of teeth pi votally connected to rearparts of said supplemental frame, adjusting devices carried by thesupplemental frame, and a yielding connection between the said adjustingde- Vices and the gang of teeth.

6. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe adapted to be supported by movable devices, a supplemental frameremovably supported by the said main frame and havinga bearing-rod inrear depending portions thereof, headbars arranged parallel and movablyconnected to the bearing-rod, teeth arranged in alternation inconnection with the head-bars, adjusting de vices at the front of saidsupplemental frame, and a yielding connection between said adjustingdevices and the head-bars.

7. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe, rollers supported thereby and having a space between their innerends, a pair of followers movably positioned in rear of the rollers andin line with the space between the inner ends of the same, guide-pins onthe followers freely movable upwardly through adjacent parts, andadjustable devices in the said guide-pins for regulating the depressionof the said followers.

8. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a mainframe, rollers carried thereby, opposite supplemental frames removablysupported on the said main frame, independent gangs of teeth movablyattached to the rear portions of the said supplemental frames, adjustingdevices held by the front portions of said supplemental frames, and

